Improvement in treadles



J. P. COUNCIL. Treadle.

No. 212,662. Patented Feb 25,1879

IVIIWJJSA 75.x 1.7V VEJVTOR M M W My 6 flTTORJVE UNITED STATE-s PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN 1 COUNCIL, OF BRISTOL, NORTH CAROLINA.

IMPROVEM ENT IN TREADLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 212,662, dated February 25, 1879; application filed November 9, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN P. COUNCIL, of Bristol, in the county of Bladen and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Treadles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specificatiomand to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a treadle embodying the improvements in my invention. Fig. 2 shows sectional detail views in side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the treadles or foot-levers proper.

My invention relates to that class of treadles where a pedal-lever, or levers having straps, cords, or the like, operate in reverse ways upon clutches, which, engaging in one direction and riding idly in the other, impart to a journaled shaft a rotary movement in one direction; and the novelty consists in the con struction and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

The object of my invention is to locate the clutches in relation to the attaching portions of the pedal-levers in such a manner that a direct downward pull will be obtained on all the straps, thus avoiding sagging, uneven friction, and displacement; to locate them in relation to the shaft-bearing so that a jerking result will be avoided; and to locate them sufficiently remote from each other as to allow a free movement of the treadles.

In carrying out my invention I employ a pulley, rigid with the driving-shaft, arranged between the two clutches, and provide it with ratchets, which are located on each end and engage the pawls of the clutches.

The pedal-levers have inwardly-extending arms, the inner ends of which are provided with hooks to receive the flexible straps. These straps are arranged in pairs, so that the pair which is attached to one clutch is secured to the butt of one treadle-arm and to the hook of the other.

The pulley furnishes the engaging device, and is situated between the clutches.

A balance or fly wheel is secured upon each ratchets, and its arrangement in relation to the clutches and foot-levers, constitutes the important features of my invention.

Referring 'to the drawings, A represents the standards, in which is journaled the shaft B. Rigid with this shaft, and about mid way thereof, is a pulley, 0, having sunk in each end a recess, 0, the outer edge of which forms a ratchet, c, which engages pawls d in the clutches 1), one of which is arranged on each side of the pulley O. The circumferences of the clutches are such that they are received within the recesses c, where they revolve freely, the pawls engaging the ratchets by their gravity.

E represents the treadles, each having an inwardly-extending arm, F F. Between the arm F and the end of. the treadle is a space in which the arm F operates, as shown. ff

represent the hook on the ends of the arms, adapted to receive a flexible strap. These straps are designated by the letter Gr, and are arranged in pairs, two to each clutch, operating in reverse directions, one strap of each pair being secured to the heel of one treadle arm, while the other strap engages the hook of the other treadlearm.

The operation of my invention is obvious.

I am aware that mechanism actuated by treadles and running on the same horizontal shaft as the balance has been connected with the balance -wheel by a clutch and a crank-pin, as in the patent to A. B. Shaw, No. 134,820, of January 14, 1873, and this con struction I do not seek to cover in this appli cation.

VVha-t I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The treadle herein described, consisting of the pulley 0, having recesses c and ratchets c, the clutches D, having pawls d, straps G, treadle E, having arms F F, with hooks. f f, and the shaft B, all constructed, arranged, and adapted to operate as shown, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN PIGKET COUNCIL.

Witnesses:

E. O. PATE, W. (J. GoUNorL. 

